ArmyBlood

Good try anyway

Jeffzed — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:35:41 +0000

Good start anyway (via AABB newsletter):

HHS lays out government’s disaster-response plan

The HHS on Thursday released a plan intended to speed up the government’s response to the next biological disaster, such as a pandemic or a nuclear attack. Recommendations include “the development of at least three influenza vaccine candidates whose manufacture does not depend on virus grown in eggs or cells” and the creation of cross-agency groups that will brainstorm and implement disaster-response ideas. The plan also supports the quick translation of research data into clinical use. Reuters (8/19)

235 Years of Army Medicine

Jeffzed — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:33:15 +0000

Big system:

This year marks the 235th anniversary of Army Medicine, beginning with the Continental Congress establishing a hospital department on July 27, 1775. This rudimentary medical support system, initially staffed by contract physicians holding no military rank, grew into today’s Army Medical Department.

via STAND-TO! – 235 Years of Army Medicine: Bringing Value… Inspiring Trust, August 24, 2010.

Ya can’t win if ya dasn’t play

Jeffzed — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:41:27 +0000

This is not pretty, however you look at it, but is an issue with many ethnic people. Lots of factors have contributed to the challenges, both now, and in the past, but the lack of donations and registrations by people with specific, racial tendencies can adversely impact their chances at finding matches and donors.

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Survey: Muslims are willing to receive, but not give, organs
Most Muslims would be willing to receive organs for transplantation, but only 10.6% are willing to become donors, according to the results of an international survey of 891 Muslims. “Muslims have this argument, this belief, that organ donation is a sin even though most scholars say it’s okay, and in fact welcome, because of the belief that to save one life is to save all humanity,” said Dr. Adnan Sharif, a kidney specialist who led the survey. Sharif said there is a need to adopt a more aggressive approach in helping Muslims understand the urgent need for more Muslim organ donors. Vancouver Sun (British Columbia), The (8/18)

Louisiana borrows the kid’s allowances

Jeffzed — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:23:41 +0000

And here goes Louisiana:

LifeShare Blood Centers to start accepting 16-year-old donors
LifeShare Blood Centers in Louisiana said it will start to accept 16-year-old blood donors starting Wednesday. The new donors should have parental consent and meet height and weight requirements. Bossier Press-Tribune (Bossier City, La.) (8/16)

They can’t take care of themselves and so have to turn to their children.

CRDAMC Looking for woman exposed to rabies in Central Texas

Jeffzed — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:53:59 +0000

From a release from CRDAMC Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas -Fort Hood, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, and the Texas State Health Department request your help in identifying a family that may have been exposed to a rabid cat. The animal may have been found near the Fort Hood Post Exchange.
Authorities are looking for a young white female, approximately 5 feet 2 inches, with dark blond hair who drives a black, long-bed four-door 2009 or 2010 Chevrolet Silverado pickup. On July 19, she dropped off a gray tabby cat and six kittens at the Animal Control Facility on Fort Hood.
The woman had two small children and an older woman in the truck. This individual may be able to identify others who came in contact with the cat before July 19.
If you have knowledge of this person, please contact Beverlee E. Nix, DVM, Texas Department of State Health Services, Zoonosis Control Program, Temple, Texas 254/778-6744, or Dr. Charles Lucey, Darnall Army Medical Center Preventive Medicine Services, 254-288-9193.

Officials Say the Darndest Things

Jeffzed — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:37:38 +0000

Hilarious: Officials Say the Darndest Things.

Brain Injury Funds Diverted and ???

Jeffzed — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:32:41 +0000

This sucks – and it’s been going on for awhile. What is really odd is that no one seems to ever get to the bottom of this kind of VA problem. I wonder how much it has to do with the autonomy of the VISN directors?

A letter to Shinseki from Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., centers on allegations from a former VA physician who says he was forced out of the agency in retaliation for raising questions about money for brain injuries, the “signature injury” of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reports 10 percent to 20 percent of troops with combat exposure there suffered concussions from roadside bombs.

via Lawmakers: Brain Injury Funds Diverted.

Fatal illness won’t slow teen’s spirit

Jeffzed — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:12:24 +0000

Inspired:

Though his muscles have long since deteriorated, relegating him to a motorized-power chair, his mind is

Nick Torrance

razor-sharp. He knows he’s been fighting an uphill battle all his life, just to live. It’s not easy.

“It’s OK to be in a wheelchair,” he said. “But every once in a while, I have a meltdown.”

How he doesn’t break down every day under the weight of his fate is beyond his father.

Rob Torrance, a stay-at-home dad by virtue of a job layoff last year, said children like Nick are more inspirational than any athlete, politician or celebrity

via Fatal illness won’t slow teen’s spirit | livingstondaily.com | Livingston Daily.

Hella good work and care from a guy that we nicknamed “Spicolli” in Korea.

Poll: Should the FDA Allow Gay Men to Donate Blood?

Jeffzed — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:14:02 +0000

US News and World Reports’ Should the FDA Allow Gay Men to Donate Blood? – US News and World Report– includes a lame, circular argument from the World Federation of Hemophilia. He basically says that gay men should be banned from donating blood because they are. What he does not address is that the deferral is for a man, any man, that has sex with another man, even one time – ever. This is illogical given that a man who has sex with prostitutes is deferred for one year.

There may be a reason to ban gay men, even in a committed relationship, but that is not the risk being measured. Too many arguments, including this one, miss that point.

DoD Marrow Donor Program renewed

Jeffzed — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:32:30 +0000

This is a great program – only takes a few minutes and we have a great kid at Fort Hood who was saved by it. Now – we just need more people to sign up, especially all the non-white-bread types out there. Unlike blood, marrow is matched by ethnicity and with all the cool combinations of people the Army makes, it can be tougher than normal to find a match. Go to www.DoDMarrow.org to find out more about this program.

Lawmakers introduce bill reauthorizing bone marrow registry
Reps. Bill Young, R-Fla., and Doris Matsui, D-Calif., have introduced a bill that would reauthorize the national bone marrow registry. "The reauthorization will provide us with the opportunity to continue our efforts to increase the number of adult donors and umbilical cord blood units available through the National Program," National Marrow Donor Program CEO Jeffrey Chell said. Hill, The/Healthwatch blog(8/10)